Laverack's journey began with an ambition to become an aerospace engineer, but shifted after participating in an autonomous robotics challenge. Her initial focus was the Microtransat Challenge in 2021, a competition requiring participants to build and send autonomous, sail-powered micro-robots across the Atlantic Ocean. Despite her experience as a sailor, Laverack, like all other participants, was unsuccessful. "I realized half the reason that all of these attempts were failing is, number one, obviously its hard to make micro-robots survive on the ocean," Laverack told TechCrunch, "But number two, they dont have enough data on the ocean to know what the weather is or even know what the ocean conditions are like."
This realization led Laverack to investigate the availability of ocean data at conferences such as Oceanology International. She discovered a significant gap in reliable data collection methods. Instead, she found potential clients willing to pay for such data. This demand spurred her to establish Oshen, focusing on developing robust robots capable of withstanding harsh ocean conditions and collecting crucial environmental information.
The challenge of gathering ocean data is significant. Existing methods often prove inadequate in extreme weather, leaving gaps in understanding hurricane behavior and ocean dynamics. Oshen's robots are designed to fill this void, providing real-time data on temperature, wave height, salinity, and other key parameters within hurricanes. This data is intended to improve forecasting models, enhance safety measures for maritime activities, and contribute to a better understanding of climate change impacts on oceans.
The specific technical details of Oshen's robots were not disclosed, but the company emphasizes their durability and autonomous capabilities. The robots are equipped with sensors and communication systems that allow them to transmit data back to researchers and weather agencies. The data collected will be valuable to a range of industries, including shipping, fishing, and offshore energy.
Oshen is currently working on expanding its fleet of ocean robots and refining its data analysis techniques. The company plans to collaborate with research institutions and government agencies to further validate the accuracy and utility of its data. The deployment of the first ocean robot in a Category 5 hurricane marks a significant step forward in ocean data collection and extreme weather monitoring.
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